Deadline New York – (March 12, 2012) – The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnolia Pictures announced today the June 8th U.S. theatrical release of BEL AMI, starring Robert Pattinson, Uma Thurman, Kristin Scott Thomas, Christina Ricci, and Colm Meaney. BEL AMI had its World Premiere as an Official Selection of last month’s 62nd Berlin International Film Festival.

In this sexy retelling of Guy de Maupassant’s classic tale of blackmail, manipulation, and social-climbing, set against 19th century Paris, Pattinson stars as the young and very ambitious George Duroy, who discovers that his unadulterated passion and seduction skills with influential Parisian ladies (Ricci, Thurman, and Thomas), above-all, is the fastest and most effective way to the upper echelons of the society he so desperately wants to control.

Directed by Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod, the film was written by Rachel Bennette, produced by Uberto Pasolini (The Full Monty), and Simon Fuller of XIX Entertainment (“American Idol,” “So You Think You Can Dance”) executive produced.

Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions (SPWA) will handle all other U.S. media.

“BEL AMI is a well-crafted, appealing film with a terrific ensemble cast,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “We think it’s a great fit for our Ultra VOD program.” The deal was negotiated for Magnolia by SVP of Acquisitions Dori Begley and Head of Business Affairs Chris Matson with SPWA’s EVP of Business Affairs Michael Helfand and VP Acquisitions and Distribution Tana Evans.

Variety Magnolia Pictures has acquired Declan Donnellan and Nick Ormerod's Robert Pattinson-starrer "Bel Ami" and will give the period pic a theatrical release in the U.S. on June 8. Deal was made with Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions, which will handle all other U.S. media.

"'Bel Ami' is a well-crafted, appealing film with a terrific ensemble cast," said Magnolia prexy Eamonn Bowles. "We think it's a great fit for our Ultra VOD program."

Deal was negotiated for Magnolia by senior VP of acquisitions Dori Begley and head of business affairs Chris Matson, along with SPWA's exec VP of business affairs Michael Helfand and VP of acquisitions and distribution Tana Evans.